New community and leisure centre for New Addington

Plans to bring a £17m community and leisure centre and new housing to New Addington were given the go ahead by Croydon’s planning committee on Thursday 18 August.

The committee gave unanimous support to the plans, which will radically transform the western side of Central Parade, with work due to start in the New Year.

The new multi-level site will provide community spaces, state-of-the-art sports facilities and eight new family homes.

Councillor Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning, said: “The plans underline the council’s commitment to provide new leisure and community facilities for the people of New Addington.

“The centre will offer flexible spaces that appeal to, and can be used and enjoyed by, all sectors of the community.

“It’s great to see there will be some much needed homes as well.”

The community centre will feature two multi-purpose halls, a café, meeting rooms, offices and dressing rooms, and there is the option of licence applications for booked events. A demountable stage will be available for community shows and the annual pantomine.

Councillor Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for families, health and social care, said: “This is exciting news for New Addington, and a great opportunity for people to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Local people were keen to see a new leisure centre and they have got their wish.”

The new leisure centre will have a 25-metre, six-lane main swimming pool, including a learning pool and spectator seating. Other facilities will include a café, fitness suite, sport hall, crèche and studios.

The council’s Connected Croydon street improvement project, to be completed on Friday 26 August, will also bring £1m of upgrades to Central Parade.

During the past four months the council has focused on the stretch of road between the Octagon and the Calat building.

The work has included:

widening and repaving the footways in quality materials to make the Parade’s more attractive

resurfacing the road

installing a new southbound bus stop and footpath to link it to the Parade